Summary

The relation between the physician and the patient is characterized not only by their individual personalities, but also by the malignant disease and its special natural history. By informing the patient exactly about the character of his disease, the patient’s trust can be won. Information and the conveyance of hope are of the same importance. Based on this trust, directions concerning the treatment and the prognosis of the malignant disease have to be laid down in the pre- and postoperative period with special sensitivity.